Trolley nip



March 10, 1953 w. R. FORTNEY 2,631,209

, TROLLEY NIP Filed Feb. 10, 1950 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TROLLEY NIP Walter Ray Fortney, Morgantown, W. Va.

Application February 10, 1950, Serial No. 143,522

(01. ZOO-115.5)

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a trolly nip, and more particularly to a contact member for engagement with an overhead electrical supply line for use in auxiliary equipment in mines or the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a trolly head of the kind to be more particularly described hereinafter having a fuse rigidly mounted within an insulating handle, the fuse being supported within the handle and connected to the cable in such a manner that the fuse will be clampingly secured, at its opposite ends to the terminals, connecting the fuse in the electric circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trolly nip of this kind wherein the fuse may be readily disengaged from its contact with the auxiliary cable and the hook connection for engagement with the trolly wire.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a trolly nip of this kind wherein the fuse is slidably engaged within the insulated handle and clampingly secured to the auxiliary cable at one end. The other end of the fuse is clampingly secured to the trolly hook which is removable from the insulating handle in such a manner that, upon failure of the fuse, the entire fuse and its connections to both the cable and the hook may be readily removed from the handle for the installation of a new fuse in its place, to be replaced within the handle.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, partly broken away, of a trolly nip constructed to an embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section, taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the trolly nip, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the clamping engagement of one of the fuse clamping members with an end of the fuse.

Figure 5 is a transverse section, taken on the 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse section, taken on the line 6-6, at the upper end of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the segmental nut member removed from the assembly of the trolly nip, and showing the nut segments in spaced relation.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l0 designates generally a trolly nip constructed according to an embodiment of my invention for use in mines or other places where a trolly power line is provided, the nip It) being engageable with the trolly line for supplying electrical current to auxiliary equipment used in the mine. The trolly nip ID of this invention is provided with a fuse I l, contained within the outer casing l2 for breaking the circuit to the auxiliary equipment upon overheating or overloading of the cable in the circuit to the auxiliary equipment from the trolly or power line.

The fuse H is slidably engaged within the outer casing ii, of the trolly In to be readily removed therefrom when it is required, or desired, to remove the fuse to be replaced by another.

The outer casing l2, of the trolly nip [0, is formed as a tubular, cylindrical member made of any suitable, flexible insulating material generally used for devices of this kind. The casing 12 is open at the opposite ends thereof, both ends of the casing being threaded internally for receiving therein closure members for the opposite ends. As considerable heat is frequently generated within the housing or casing l2, an asbestos lining I4 is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the casing between the opposite ends thereof, the lining I4 terminating in spaced relation to the opposite ends of the outer casing in such a manner that the members which are threadably engaged in the opposite open ends of i the casing may be engaged with the insulating material and the asbestos lining M will abut, at its opposite ends, with the inner faces of the closure members upon the opposite ends.

A cylindrical or tubular bushing I5 is threadably engaged in one open end of the casing l2, the bushing l5 being threaded on both the outer and inner sides thereof, as clearly noted in Figure 1 of the drawings.

engaged in one open end of the casing l2 will abut, at inner end, against one end of the- I asbestos lining l4 and the other end of the bushmg le will be extended a short distance above the upper end of the casing l2. Suitable glue or cement should be placed on the outer threads of the bushing I5 for securing the bushi the casing I2. ng m A suitable, annular insulating disc I6 is threadably engaged on the upper end of the verse set screw, or dowel I1 is threadably en-' The bushing l5, when 3 gaged through an annular shoulder l8, on the upper side of the disc it, for fixedly securing the insulator disc l5 onto the trolly nip to. The insulator disc i6 is of a suitable insulating material, and its purpose is generally recognized in the use of devices of this kind.

An upper connector head IE! is threadably engaged within the bushing I5, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the connector head is being formed of brass, or other suitable conducting material to provide a suitable electrical connection from the hook 2t through the casing l2 to the cable 2|, and in turn to the auxiliary electrical equipment to be operated from thepower line with which the trolly nip it may *be'engaged. The connector head 19 is substantiallycylindrical in configuration, being threaded on the periphery thereof for threaded engagement within the bushing 15 for securing the head l9 within the casing I 2. "Aethe -upper head' -l Sis secured within the casing -l' 2,-theupperend'of thehead l9 will be normally disposed fiush with the upper edge of the-- bushing on the uppersideof the insulator disc '16 and the lower or -inner endsof the-head l9 *will -be--terminated substantially in alignment with the shoulder-2% formed at the terminal ends of the-asbestos lining M. A 1 thread-ed bore 25 is formed axiallyof the cylindrical connect-0r head It for receiving a threaded-clamping nut 26.

Theclampin-g-nut 25-is formed of-a pairof' nut elements 21 and 28, which when properly secured together lform the split nut-member 26. One of the 'nut segments -2? is formed with threaded transversebores 29 through the head section 3il-thereof. The other nut seginen'tZB is formedwitha-pairof transverse bores 31 therethrough for alignment, when disposed in nutfo'rming engagement with the-other nut segment 2-B,'-with"the bores 2 9 whereupon the screws 32 may-be threadably engagedin the threaded bores 2 9 for aligning the'nut segments Hand ZB'together. The'screws 3'-2 .a-re-threadably engaged in one-of the nut-elements,-as the nut-element 2'8, and slidable in the bore 3| of theother nut'elemeant-28in the-manner of adowel for properly aligning the exterior-threads of the nut elements to "provide for the proper threaded "engagement of :thenu't ZS intheinner threaded "bore "of the connectorhead -19. The-nut segmentsz'l and '28 are lo osely connected together by "the screws 3 2, and, when the nut 2t isengaged in the'threaded bore '25, the-*conneotor *head it 'will be "properly aligned therein by the engagementof'the' threads with the threads ofthe'head'fll.

The hook 29, which "is "formed with an "upper bill 35 and a depending-shank ttis adapted to be clampingly secured within the nut members 25 at the upper-endof the trolly nip it.

The lower end-oi the hook shank 36 is adapted to :be slidably engaged in a the concave portion of the opened-nut sections 27 and 2t, to-be secured therein whenthe-connector head leis threadably engagediin the bushing 15. -The-lowerend of-the' "ends into the space defined within the casing I2 "between the opposite ends thereof.

The lower end of the vents 41 open above the clamping members AZ and--43 on one side thereof, as clearly noted inlFigure 1 of the drawings. The connector'lug'fifi, on'th-e other end of the fuse II is provided with an opening '50 which is directed laterally of the axis of the fuse l l, the connector lugn tt being bifurcated with x the axis .rpositioned perpendicular to the-opening-of the-body oi -the fuse i l and :the openinguof the-otherconnector lug 15.

A thrust plug 5| is -thre'adably engaged in' the otherlower endof the-casing l-Z, the thrust plug 5| being provided with a central bore 52therethrough opening at ,one endexterio-rly-of the easing +2 and at the other end'withinlthe-casin in the space within which the fuse'H (to be positioned. Thecable 21, connectedtothe auxiliary electrical equipment to be supplied v'through z-the trolly nip It is slidably engaged through th-eabore 52. 'A suitable cement may bepl-ace'd 'aboutethe thrustplug-tl forsecurelysealing the thrustiplug in: the casingt-Z.

A lower connector head 54 :is sli-dably engaged in the lower end-of the casing 42, the-head being adapted :to be connected to th'e connector member 39 :and to the wires 55,-carried by the cable 2|. The lower head 5.4 :is formed with a central body section 5 shaving "aclamping memher :5! extending in'one direction therefrom-and a clamping member "58 extending in the other direction.

The lower clampingmember--51 (Figures 1 :and 5) is :formed with a fixed-clamping jaw-59, the clamping jaw 59 being fixed etc, or ipreferably formed integral with, "the centralbody portion 56. A movable jaw mernber ififl :is adapted :to :be clampingly -'secured to the fixed -jaw ;member '59 by a' transverse bolt or-screw ;6E| ewhichcis threadably engaged in the :fixed :jiaw member .59 for clampingly securing the wires 55 in clampingengagemen-t between "the cfixed. jaw 59 and I movable jaw 50 at the lower end of the fuse l'l. The-other clamping member 58, extending upwardly :from

the central "body 53, vas-clearly noted in Figure 1:

of the drawings, is also bifurcated'to define apair of transversely spaced apart clamping jaws :62 and 64, noted in Figure 4 of'theadrawings. "The clamping jaws .52 and 5:4 .ar z'a'dapted to zre'ceive therebetween the llower connector lmeniber *49.

having the transversely extending aperture "5B. A transverse "bolt 65 is threadably engaged through the clamping jaw members tland :Mfor

clampingly securing the lower conner'ztor-mem The cable 2| is then extended through the aes'naoe aperture 52 in the plug SI and is extended through the length of the casing [2. The wires 55 are then cl'ampingly engaged in the wire clamp 51, on one end of the lower connector head 54 which is clampingly engaged with one end of the fuse H. The upper end of the fuse II is then clampingly engaged between the jaw members 42 and E3 of the upper head 19 by the tightening of the transverse screw 48. The lower head 54 and the head I9 are then engaged in the casing 16 with the fuse H secured therebetween. The upper head 19 may be thre'adably engaged within the bushing 15, the loose engagement of the cable 2i, in the aperture or the bore 52 providing for the rotative tightening of the upper head I9 within the bushing l 5.

The hook 20 is then secured to the trolly nip It by the threaded engagement of the nut member 28 in the threaded recess of the upper head Hi. It will be noted that the nut member 25 is only engageable in the upper head l9 when the segments 2'! and 28 are properly aligned together with the transverse bolt 32. The hook 20, which includes the lower shank 36 may be removed from the nut member 26 when the nut member 26 is removed from its assembly in the upper head l9 and the nut segments 21 and 28 are separated from engagement with the transverse bolts 32, as clearly shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a trolly, an elongated insulated tubular casing open at its ends, a tubular plug removably engaged in one end of the casing, an insulated conductive cable passing into the interior of the casing through and slidably and rotatably engaging the bore of the plug, a tubular bushing threaded into the other end of the casi-ng, said bushing having a threaded bore, a connector head removably threaded in and extending through the threaded bore of said tubular bushing, said head having first clamping means on its axially inward end positioned within the interior of the casing axially inwardly of said tubular bushing, an axially elongated fuse positioned in the interior of the casing between said plug and said connector head, said'fuse being smaller in diameter than the interior of the casing, a first connector lug separably connected to the end of said fuse adjacent to said plug, said first connector lug having a portion of enlarged diameter slidably and rotatably engaging the interior of the casing, said first connector lug further having second clamping means connecting said conductive cable to said first lug within the interior of the casing, means separably connecting said first connector lug with the fuse, a second connector lug on the other end of the fuse with which said first clamping means is clampably engaged.

2. In a trolly, an elongated insulated tubular casing open at its ends, a tubular plug removably engaged in one end of the casing, an insulated conductive cable passing into the interior of the casing through and slidably and rotatably engaging the bore of the plug, a tubular bushing threaded into the other end of the casing, said bushing having a threaded bore, a connector head removably threaded in and extending through the threaded bore of said tubular bushing, said head having first clamping means on its axially inward end positioned within the interior of the casing axially inwardly of said tubular bushing, an axially elongated fuse positioned in the interior of the casing between said plug and said connector head, said fuse being smaller in diameter than the interior of the casing, a first connector lug separably connected to the end of said fuse adjacent to said plug, said first connector lug having a portion of enlarged diameter slidably and rotatably en-' gaging the interior of the casing, said first connector lug further having second clamping means connecting said conductive cable to said first lug within the interior of the casing, means separably connecting said first connector lug with the fuse, a second connector lug on the other end of the fuse with which said first clamping means is clampably engaged, said first clamping means being engaged endwise with said second connector lug whereby said fuse can be separated from said first clamping means only by endwise movement of said fuse and said connector head relative to each other with said first clamping means released.

3. In a trolly, an elongated insulated tubular casing open at its ends, a tubular plug removably engaged in one end of the casing, an insulated conductive cable passing into the interior of the casing through and slidably and rotatably engaging the bore of the plug, a tubular bushing threaded into the other end of the casing, said bushing having a threaded bore, a connector head removably threaded in and extending through the threaded bore of said tubular bushing, said head having first clamping means on its axially inward end positioned within the interior of the casing axially inwardly of said tubular bushing, an axially elongated fuse positioned in the interior of the casing between said plug and said connector head, said fuse being smaller in diameter than the interior of the casing, a first connector lug separably connected to the end of said fuse adjacent to said plug, said first connector lug having a portion of enlarged diameter slidably and rotatably engaging the interior of the casing, said first connector lug further having second clamping means connecting said conductive cable to said first lug within the interior of the casing, connecting means separably connecting said first connector lug with the fuse, a second connector lug on the other end of the fuse with which said first clamping means is clampably engaged, said first clamping means being engaged endwise with said second connector lug whereby said fuse can be separated from said first clamping means only by endwise movement of said fuse and said connector head relative to each other with said first clamping means released, said first connector lug and said connecting means being engaged sidewise with each other whereby said fuse can be separated from said second connector lug only by sidewise movement of the fuse and said first connector lug relative to each other.

4. In a trolly, an elongated insulated tubular casing open at its ends, a tubular plug removably engaged in one end of the casing, an insulated conductive cable passing into the interior of the casing through and slidably and rotatably engaging the bore of the plug, a tubular bushing threaded into the other end of the casing, said bushing having a threaded bore, a connector head removably threaded in and extending through the threaded bore of said tubular bushing, said head having first clamping means on its axially inward end positioned within the in- 92192: f tho; causing", axia ly; inw dly of. sax-id b i v lo gated. iuse; no 1 in; hont or of, the casing een; .lup ugi d. s id con ector head sa use eing;. .ma1ler nd met t n the, inter r of h casing, a first connector lug; srepambly connected; o. he end of. a u e adja entntor said plu saic lgfig s t connector 111g having; a, portion qf en:

amgi d cliamfi s1 dab y;- n 1- m atab y agin thei-nfqerv'ion of the; casing, aid ,first; connector ug; fu ther haying o second clamp g} 3 1 6 1? misting; said; conductive cable to. said firstv lug within; the; inteyior; of the casing, meansvsepan, ably. Qn Qfii g, Said; first, connector. lu with the fuse.;; ause n l o nec o lu n.,- .h o heren of thetuse with w h said. first clamping; means; is; clamlg h sgngaged, and a onduc ive ho k,

ay ng; a shankoremo aiilx ur 1,.i. ;.said Q0321:

np ctoli hiead he by s aid hpok; c nbfirfillQWi. mm. aid onnect 7 head wi hout, remo n .11?-

head: roml he uhulan ushin WALFIERRAY EORTNEY.

REFERENCES. IT D.

151 19; igllowing re feltenqesore f l ecordin -the;

fi e of,th s;.patenfi.

' UNITED STATES- PATENTS 

